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Retired police officer arrested in connection with shooting at southwest Miami-Dade café

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A retired police officer is facing multiple charges after police said he shot at three employees of a café in southwest Miami-Dade.

According to his arrest report, Michael Lopez, 52, of Miami, was a regular patron of the Miwi Café at 10201 Hammocks Blvd. before he decided to shoot at the business Thursday morning.

Miami-Dade police said three people were working inside the café shortly after 9 a.m. when Lopez drove to the shopping plaza where the café is located and discharged one round toward the business’ cafeteria window.

Police said the bullet penetrated the glass window as the three employees ran for cover.

Luckily, no one was injured.

According to Angel Rodriguez, of the Miami-Dade Police Department, officers spotted Lopez’s white Ford Explorer as the suspect was trying to get away and chased the vehicle.

The police chase ended in the area of Southwest 136th Street and 157th Avenue.

According to his arrest report, Lopez failed to comply with officers’ commands to get out of his vehicle after the police chase, so he was removed from the SUV and taken to the ground.

Authorities said he continued to resist officers while on the ground by tensing his arms and placing them under his body by his chest as they attempted to put his hands behind his back to handcuff him.

Sky 10 was above the scene shortly after 9:30 a.m. as the suspect was finally placed into handcuffs and seated on the sidewalk.

He appeared to have an injury to his forehead and was treated by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel.

According to his arrest report, Lopez was taken to the Hammocks Police Station, where he invoked his right to remain silent.

Lopez was arrested on charges of shooting a deadly missile, aggravated assault with a firearm, fleeing and eluding police and resisting an officer without violence. He had two black eyes and other injuries to his face in his mugshot. His arrest report did not state whether he sustained those injuries during the takedown.

The arrest report also did not state from which police agency Lopez retired.

A motive for the shooting remains unclear.

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